Linux has not yet caught on as a desktop OS. It is like other Unix systems a server OS. Many attempts have been made to make Linux into a desktop OS and some use it as such but it never caught on.

Many businesses refuse to support it claiming that it is not profitable to develop for it because it lacks the user base that Windows has. I keep trying to tell them that Linux has millions of users and they are not tracked by
sales as Windows is because Linux is a free and open source operating system that anyone can download and install.

Some things like PLC programs need to be ported to Windows like the GE PLC or DirectSoft PLC software, and they refuse to even if Linux would be a more stable environment than Windows. Funny that Windows Vista and 7 won't run that PLC software and they are stuck with Windows 2000/XP to run it. I wonder if it will work in WINE now?

Anyway I cannot help but notice that Ubuntu has developed Unity in an attempt to make it more like a tablet PC or Windows 8, but in doing so they made it harder to use in that you have to search for the name of the program you want to run, instead of selecting it from a start menu like GNOME or KDE had. Yeah you can switch GUIS at login, but it would be nice if they made the Unity GUI easier to use and with programs in categories from a menu. The way they do it now makes it very hard to use and confusing.

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Re: Linux as a desktop OS
By: Generalram to All on Mon May 07 2012 05:04 pm

Linux has not yet caught on as a desktop OS. It is like other Unix systems a server OS. Many attempts have been made to make Linux into a desktop OS and some use it as such but it never caught on.

That depends on who you're talking to. I'm currently managing a pilot program with potential to reach 1000 users at my company. We're using Ubuntu and Red Hat Linux, a core stack of development tools, Evolution/Open Office, tools to integrate single sign-on with WIndows Active Directory, and it's gaining a lot of traction with developers who want a *nix-based desktop environment to mirror their production dev environments.

It may not catch on with an office full of knowledge workers and word processors who know how to use Microsoft office, but your statement was a global one.

.: poindexter fortran :: pf at realitycheckbbs dot org :.

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Re: Linux as a desktop OS
By: Poindexter Fortran to Generalram on Tue May 08 2012 11:33:44

Re: Linux as a desktop OS
By: Generalram to All on Mon May 07 2012 05:04 pm

Linux has not yet caught on as a desktop OS. It is like other Unix system server OS. Many attempts have been made to make Linux into a desktop OS a some use it as such but it never caught on.

That depends on who you're talking to. I'm currently managing a pilot progra with potential to reach 1000 users at my company. We're using Ubuntu and Red Hat Linux, a core stack of development tools, Evolution/Open Office, tools t integrate single sign-on with WIndows Active Directory, and it's gaining a l of traction with developers who want a *nix-based desktop environment to mir their production dev environments.

It may not catch on with an office full of knowledge workers and word processors who know how to use Microsoft office, but your statement was a global one.

.: poindexter fortran :: pf at realitycheckbbs dot org :.

Linux actually has gained alot of ground. I use it daily for servers and desktop OS. Mainly Kubuntu or Linux Mint. I can do everything you can do in windows without doing much of any configuring now. Also Wine has gotten good enough now to run alot of the windows apps without having to make any changes. Now games require some configuration. The urban myths have become a wall not the actual OS it self.


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